PulseNet International: Vision for the implementation of whole genome sequencing (WGS) for global food-borne disease surveillance.

Nadon C1,2, Van Walle I2,3, Gerner-Smidt P4, Campos J5, Chinen I5, Concepcion-Acevedo J4, Gilpin B6, Smith AM7, Man Kam K8, Perez E9, Trees E4, Kubota K10, Takkinen J3, Nielsen EM11, Carleton H4; FWD-NEXT Expert Panel12.

Author information

Abstract

PulseNet International is a global network dedicated to laboratory-based surveillance for food-borne diseases. The network comprises the national and regional laboratory networks of Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the United States. The PulseNet International vision is the standardised use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) to identify and subtype food-borne bacterial pathogens worldwide, replacing traditional methods to strengthen preparedness and response, reduce global social and economic disease burden, and save lives. To meet the needs of real-time surveillance, the PulseNet International network will standardise subtyping via WGS using whole genome multilocus sequence typing (wgMLST), which delivers sufficiently high resolution and epidemiological concordance, plus unambiguous nomenclature for the purposes of surveillance. Standardised protocols, validation studies, quality control programmes, database and nomenclature development, and training should support the implementation and decentralisation of WGS. Ideally, WGS data collected for surveillance purposes should be publicly available, in real time where possible, respecting data protection policies. WGS data are suitable for surveillance and outbreak purposes and for answering scientific questions pertaining to source attribution, antimicrobial resistance, transmission patterns, and virulence, which will further enable the protection and improvement of public health with respect to food-borne disease.

This article is copyright of The Authors, 2017.